Blog: Matthew Rea-Rankin, Volunteer at Coastguard Tautiaki Moana New Zealand (CNZ)

Matthew Rea-Rankin has been involved with Coastguard Tautiaki Moana New Zealand (CNZ) for nearly two decades, starting as a volunteer and later serving in leadership roles, including Head of People & Capability. While he recently stepped down from this position, he remains an active volunteer, dedicated to supporting CNZ’s mission. 

Matthew may not have started his career in maritime search and rescue (SAR), but his deep connection to the sea has shaped both his personal and professional life.  With a young family and wanting to learn how to take them safely boating, Matthew joined his local Coastguard unit, a decision that charted his SAR career. 

"That was nearly 20 years ago, and it’s been a fabulous experience," Matthew says. "As well as wanting to learn skills to go boating safely with the family, I was also looking for a spot of adventure and the chance to do something worthwhile in the community.  So, I decided to check out the local Coastguard unit." His passion for the sea and desire to make a difference led him to become deeply involved in Coastguard’s mission. “I’m pleased to say that all my family have had a day ‘on the boat’, and I'm proud that my son has also become a Coastguard volunteer,” he said. 

Matthew’s career took a significant turn when CNZ merged four regions and the national office, leading to his appointment as Head of People & Capability. With a background in senior HR roles in large manufacturing businesses, the move was a natural fit. His experience in people-focused roles and his growing involvement with Coastguard positioned him to help guide the organisation through this transformative period. 

"My career has always had themes of people, change, and leadership," Matthew explains. "There was a strong alignment between the types of issues and people [in my previous role] and what was needed at CNZ when we merged the regions and national office." This role allowed him to bring his leadership and people-management skills to a new environment where those qualities were essential for success. 

Despite his leadership role, Matthew has remained active as a volunteer. His early involvement in Coastguard included serving on the regional board and later the national board, experiences that shaped his leadership style. "Even though I was the youngest there, they listened to my views. That opened opportunities to take a lead on contributing to the strategic direction and priorities of CNZ," he says. His volunteer work has enriched his understanding of the organisation and its people, offering him a unique perspective as both leader and volunteer. 

When Head of People & Capability, Matthew oversaw a broad range of responsibilities, from training and HR to ensuring the safety and well-being of all. "My responsibilities encompassed the safety and wellbeing of our people as well as the recruitment, training, HR, and volunteer experience," he explains. "So, it’s very broad and being a charity, we run pretty lean." This lean approach enables CNZ to maximise its impact, ensuring that the organisation functions efficiently while delivering on its purpose. 

The biggest challenge Matthew faced was finding resources for and managing the team’s goals while maintaining a sustainable pace of change within the organisation. "We are very aspirational for our people and our mission, which means we have a big list of things we want to achieve," he says. "Being able to manage the right pace of change in a community organisation, where people are already so generously giving their time, and where working together with everyone is key to success, is a challenge I very much enjoyed."   

Despite the challenges, Matthew found immense fulfilment in the work he and his team do. "What we do matters, it makes a real difference in the lives of so many," he shares. "For the people and families we help, and for the life-affirming experiences our people gain as they come together in their units, workplaces and communities across the country.” This sense of purpose is what drives him to continue leading with passion and commitment. 

One of the defining moments of Matthew's career was participating in the IMRF’s Lifeboat Crew Exchange in September, hosted in Sweden. "It was a fantastic experience, and I feel so lucky to have been able to be on the exchange," he says. The exchange provided Matthew with the opportunity to witness SAR operations in another country, form lasting connections with participants from around the world, and compare operational practices, equipment, and training. 

"The insights to vessels, equipment, training and stations all serve to add stimulus to our thinking and future improvements," Matthew reflects. "The friendships formed, not only with our hosts but also with the other participants, were outstanding." The shared sense of purpose among SAR people, despite differences in location, was one of the key insights for Matthew. "The generosity, warmth, friendships, the shared sense of purpose, and the similarity of issues we all have to deal with were top takeaways," he notes. 

The insights gained about mass rescue of migrants and the mental health of SAR personnel was at times confronting, but they also created an awareness that was essential to Matthew as a SAR Leader. “We know that in New Zealand we need to do better in helping people from all cultures to be able to enjoy the water safely and with confidence.  Although the migration issue is a completely different driver of SAR in Europe, there are nevertheless insights for us as we work to improve our capabilities”. 

While traditionally a European event, Matthew sees merit in expanding the Lifeboat Crew Exchange to include SAR volunteers from other parts of the world. "Previously, I would have not placed it highly, mainly because it’s a long way for us to travel," he says. "But I now see a lot of merit in the exchange, especially if we can get it up and running in the Asia Pacific”. 

Matthew’s journey from volunteer to Head of People & Capacity at Coastguard New Zealand reflects his dedication to both people and the organisation’s mission. His commitment to the safety and well-being of his colleagues and the broader community is evident in every aspect of his work. As he continues to support Coastguard’s mission, he remains driven by the belief that through teamwork and collaboration, they are making a meaningful impact on the lives of countless people.